South Suburban Young Professionals: Update

Last year, I approached the South Suburban Chamber of Commerce with the idea of forming a networking group specifically for the area's young professionals. Since last March, we've been meeting almost monthly to talk about how we can best serve the community and act as a conduit to get young professionals in Oak Creek and surrounding communities better connected to one another and to area business leaders.

February marks our first significant event: the Mardi Gras Business After Hours on Feb. 21! This event is a great opportunity to meet local business people (of all ages), learn about the South Suburban Young Professionals, and get in the Mardi Gras spirit. Visit the South Suburban Chamber of Commerce website for details and to register online.

In addition, the South Suburban Young Professionals will be hosting the casino games at next week's South Milwaukee/Oak Creek Interfaith Older Adult Program's "Cruising Through Winter" event at the St. Ann's Center for Intergenerational Care.

Both events fulfill the two core areas we have identified in our mission:

• Engaging South Suburban area young professionals to strengthen the business community and provide opportunities for personal and professional development.  

• Cultivating the next generation of South Suburban area leaders and fostering networking opportunities and community participation.

As we start this year off, we're excited to bring life to these ideas! This is where you come in. Are you a young professional? Do you have young professionals in your office? Are you interested in talent development and retention?

We're currently planning our year and are looking to widen our networking circle! If this sounds like you or someone you know, please get involved by checking out our Facebook page, joining our LinkedIn group, following us on Twitter or contacting us via e-mail at SoSubYP@gmail.com.

Our mission is to strengthen local young talent by creating a culture of engagement, continuous development and service to the community. We've already begun discussions with other local young professional groups on partnering on a number of exciting initiatives and events - let's show to the region the exciting young leaders emerging from the Oak Creek area!

A big thank you to the current 2012 South Suburban Young Professionals Committee for their service - Mark Schaaf, Megan Wurz, Michelle Arline, Steve Laabs, Steve Scherer and chamber executive director Barbara Wesener.  

We look forward to seeing you Feb. 21 and other community events throughout the year!